Expression profile of circulating micrornas in patients with descending aortic Aneurism

• Grant number: 22/03376-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: May 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Edwaldo Edner Joviliano
• Grantee: Edwaldo Edner Joviliano
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Daniela Pretti da Cunha Tirapelli

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNAs of approximately 18-25 nucleotides that can bind to complementary nitrogen bases in mRNA molecules, modulating gene expression to control numerous signaling pathways and cellular processes. They are expressed differently according to tissue type, conferring specificity on miRNAs. Furthermore, miRNAs are stable in blood plasma and can be stored for long periods under suitable conditions without affecting their biological integrity. These characteristics make them extremely interesting as potential biomarkers, given their specificity, easy obtainment, and sample stability. Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (AATD) is a degenerative disease that affects approximately 6 to 10.4/100,000 person-years, with a tendency to increase the number of cases with an aging population. An estimated 13,000 deaths per year are attributed to aortic pathologies in the United States. It is also believed that this estimate is underestimated. These numbers do not reflect the real impact of aortic diseases on the population, considering that many cases of sudden death remain undiagnosed or are attributed to mistaken diagnoses, such as acute myocardial infarction. Unlike ascending and abdominal aortic aneurysms, the AATD requires more sophisticated, costly, and not always innocuous exams due to contrast and radiation, such as computed tomography angiography. Currently, most AATDs are accidentally diagnosed in an investigation of other pathologies. Thus, the discovery of screening tests for AATD, such as plasma biomarkers, would be of great value to identify molecular signatures of risk, enabling early diagnosis and adequate treatment. OBJECTIVES: To identify the expression profile of circulating miRNAs in the peripheral blood of individuals with descending thoracic aortic aneurysms compared to healthy individuals, using the TaqMan® Low-Density Array (TLDA) MicroRNA platform. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a descriptive and analytical component by optimizing molecular techniques. Eight patients diagnosed with descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, eligible for standard endovascular repair, will be included, and eight healthy volunteers (control group). All cases will be recruited from the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (USP) from February 2022 to January 2026. Demographic data of individuals, morphometric data of aneurysms, and samples will be obtained for analysis of miRNAs, following the protocol of the manufacturer of the TLDA platform. Statistical analyzes of the miRNAs expression profile will be performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's Multiple Comparison statistical tests, with p<0.05 being considered significant. (AU)